Adjustable dampening bearing support



0d 21,' 1'952 w. s. PIERCE, JR

ADJUSTABLE DAMPENING BEARING SUPPORT Filed May fs,Y 195o K55 j v BY I j Pnvwl vga/AM y /w 'ATToRNEY Patented Oct. 21, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT oEEIcsyj USTABLE DAMPEN ING BEARING SUPPORT 'Winslow S. Pierce, Jr., Keene, N. H.; Mary Brush Pierce,wexecutrixof said Winslow S. Pierce, Jr.. deceased,assignor to Mary Brush Pierce reputation May 195o, serial No. 160,494

This invention relates to bearings, `and particularly to bearingV structures incorporating `supports which permit controlled movement of the bearing and damping of such movement which may :be variablyyadiustable.' u f Many `mechanical installations include shafts, spindles, or other rotary parts operating at high rotative speeds. `The maximum practical speed of rotation of such parts is inmany cases undcsirably limitedby the fact that accurate static and dynamic balance of the parts cannot be at-1 tained or maintained, With the result that destructive or at least harmful vibrations or oscillations are set up in the part, and more particularly 4in the bearing structure and its support. The unbalance may result from simple static ecccentricity. of the mass of the rotary part. This is true, `for example, in the spindles of textile strand winding` bobbins, Where irregular Wndingof the strand or -yarn distributes the mass eccentrically of the spindle axis. A similar situation exists in centrifuges where initial eccentric distribution or subsequent shifting of the load imbalances the mass with respect to the axis of the supportingshaft or spindle. Undesirable vibrations or oscillations may also occur due to the coincidence of the natural period of vibration ofthe element with the speed of a rotary element, or an appropriate harmonic thereof, or `With an extraneous vibration such as one produced by the driving motor or other adjacent or associated apparatus.

All of such vibrations or oscillations are best corrected or `minimized by devices permitting limited eccentric movement of the rotary element, and this for the reason that a rotary mass which is free to nndv its own axis of rotation does so in perfect balance, both statically and dynamically.

I have discovered that if bearings for rotary elements are so supported as to permit limited freedom of movement eccentrically of the bearing axis and if such movement is damped .to a suitable degree, the undesirable oscillation or vibration of the element under varied conditions of speed, unbalance and extraneous vibration, can be effectively minimized or eliminated. I have devised an improved bearing structure incorporating a bearing support that is resiliently yieldable laterally of the bearing axis and that incorporates means for damping the eccentric oscillation or vibration of the bearing. My improved structure preferably includes means for adjustably varying the extent to Which @Centric oscillation or vibration of the bearing is v.'iairurnid .by the damping means.

in describing the invention in detail, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, in which certain examples of bearings including my invention are illustrated. n

In thexdrawings Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation ofA an embdl* ment ci my .invention applied to a Vline shaft bearing; i

Fig. 2 is a Asectional view taken along the` linie r-2 of Fis. l. and vievvedin the directionxofvthe arrows;` v' i s s Fig. S is a :sectional `,elevation of an embodi-` ment of my invention applied to .a .thrustnan s radial bearing ofza shaft or spindle;

Fie'. 4 is a sectional `View taken. alonglthelline mit of F1553 and viewed in `thediremtion-nf,the

arrows; i

Fig. f5 isa sectional elevation `of a :modili'ed of the bearing structure .illustratedcin Fig. 3; and

`Fig. 6 is a vsectional elevation of aiurth'er modified form of `my `bearing structure.

Referring to `Figs. `1 and 2, I have therelillustrated an embodiment `oi the invention applied 'to a line shaft bearing of the type generally termed -a pillow block.` The disclosed embodiment includes a casing" C having a supporting based, a circumferential wall 8 and an integral endwall lil. Anopposi-te end wall ll is `rnovab'ly secured to the casing vby a flanged ring |12 threadedly engaging the outer `circumferential surface of the wall El.

A resilient block B is enclosed Within the casingC. The block B `may be disc-shaped as shown and has-a centi-'al opening I3 extending therethrough in Which is disposed and supported the shaft bearing lll, which may be -a` sleeve bearing, as shown, or a ball or roller `bearingor any other known `type of bearing. The Yblck B is formed of resilient yieldable but substantially incompressible" material, such ras vulcan u ized natural or synthetic rubber.- If natural rubber `is employed, it is preferred to use "a natural rubber that is so compounded in aiknown manner as to be resistant to the hydraulic iiuid employed, which may `be a hydrocarbon oil. Synthetic rubbers` may be used, and the syni thetic rubbers herein referred to which are -r'esistantfto hydrocarbon oils, are ,defined in Bureaufof Standards circular C-427, last paragraph on page 3and` include `ethylene -pol-ysulfide rubbers, lmownas Thiololj and those derived from butadiene, `known under such trade names as Hycan AmeripoL Chemigum and Neoprene Type l. The word rubber as used herein includes all of the types of natural and synthetic rubbers here identified.

As best shown in Fig. 2, the block B is provided with a plurality of fluid pockets or openings I5 extending lengthwise of the bearing axis, and, in the disclosed embodiment, substantially parallel to the bearing openings I3. The pockets I5 are preferably distributed symmetrically about the bearing axis and may comprise two concentric circumferentially extending rows of spaced pockets staggered with respect to each other, as shown. The casing C is lled with a hydraulic fluid, such as oil Iii, which lls the pockets l5 in the block B. The bearing lll is movable laterally of its axis in the casing C uponV resilient deformation of the b-locl; B, and the bearing may be sealed to the casing end walls IQ and II by flexible seals illustrated as metallic bellows-type members I1 and I8. The flanged ring I2 preferably makes a tight joint with both the casing walls 8 and Il and it is screwed down to a degree such that a small leakage space for the hydraulic fluid is left between the opposite faces of the block B and the adjacent casing end walls I and I I. A shaft I9 is journalled in the bearing I il.

In operation, if, due to any cause, the shaft I9 is statically or dynamically unbalanced or for any other reason tends to vibrate or oscillate eccentrically of the axis, the yieldable resilient block B permits sufficient freedom of movement so that the shaft moves in a slightly eccentric path on an axis about which it is balanced, and

harmful vibration of the bearing or its support is thereby avoided. This eccentric movement is damped by the hydraulic fluid I that yieldingly resists the alternate compression and expansion ofthe pockets I5 in the block B which result from eccentric movement of the shaft I9 and its bearing Ill. The extent of this damping is 4variably adjustable by movement of the movable casing wall II relative to the opposite wall I0, which movement varies the cross-section of thefluid passages along opposite faces of the block B between the several uid pockets l5. The'end wall II is adjustably moved to accomplish this purpose by rotating the flanged ring I2 and so drawing it inward on or moving it outward along the circumferential wall 9 of the casing C. I have found that by this variable adjustment of the damping eifect over a relatively small range while the shaft is rotating, a degree of damping can be imposed that eliminates harmful vibration of the bearing support and the supporting structure that carries it, whereby the shaft I9 can be rotated at higher speed than in known bearing structures without damage to the shaft, bearings or supporting structure.

. My improved bearing structure may take various forms. In Figs. 3 and 4, I have illustrated the lower portion of a vertical shaft or spindle of the type used in winding textile strands or yarns on bobbins, the structure shown comprising a blade or stem having a driving pulley 2| at its base and a shaft 22 below the pulley. The shaft 22 is supported in two spaced bearings, the upper bearing 23 comprising a ball bearing, the outer race 23' of which may be xed, or may be mounted in the manner described in .connection with the embodiment of Figs. l and 2 above. The lower thrust and radial bearing 2li, also illustrated as a ball bearing, is mounted in the central opening 25 of a block or disc B of natural or synthetic vulcanized rubber or other resilientl yieldable material having spaced symmetrically disposed fluid pockets 21 extending `therethrough from face to face thereof substantially parallel to the bearing axis. The block B' is enclosed in a cylindrical casing C having an upper end wall 28 that overlies the upper ends of the pockets 21 and a lower end wall 29 in the form of a circular plug threadedly engaging the cylindrical wall 30 of the casing and overlying the lower ends of the pockets 21. A hydraulic fluid, such as oil 3l, fills the casing C and the pockets 21, and this oil may serve both as a damping fluid and a lubricant for the bearing 24. The operation of this embodiment is the same as has been described in connection with the embodiment of Figs. l and 2.

The resilient block of my improved bearing structure may be provided with fluid pockets that are closed at one end and so comprise cupshaped openings in the block. Such a construction is shown in Fig. 5 in connection with a bearing of the general type shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Referring to Fig. 5, the shaft 5i) is carried in a thrust and radial ball bearing 5I, the outer race 5I of which is mounted in the central opening 52 of a rubber block or disc 53. Spaced fluid pockets 54 are provided in the block 53 around its central opening 52, and these pockets are preferably arranged symmetrically about the central opening in the manner described above in connection with Figs. 3 and Ll. The pockets 555 extend substantially parallel to the central bearing opening. Each of the pockets 54, as well as the bearing opening 52, extend through one face of the block 53 to a point near but short of the opposite face thereof. With this arrangement, the hydraulic fluid, such as oil 55, flows between the several pockets 54 along one face of the block only, that is, the face into which the pockets 54 open, this being the upper face in the embodiment shown in Fig. 5. The block 53 is enclosed in a casing comprising an upper end wall 5B overlying the open ends of the pockets 54, a cylindrical wall 51 and an adjustably movable bottom wall in the form of a circular plug 58 threadedly engaging the cylindrical Wall 51. Adjustable movement of the plug 58 inwardly and outwardly of the casing varies the crosssection of the passages between the upper face of the block 53 and the upper casing end wall 55, and so varies the magnitude of the damping of eccentric oscillations of the bearing.

The structure shown in Fig, 6 is somewhat similar to that shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 and described above. Referring to Fig. 6, the end of the shaft 32 is carried in a thrust and radial ball bearing 33 mounted in the central opening 35 of a rubber disc or block 35, which has iluid pockets 35 extending from one face to a point near the other face thereof and distributed symmetrically about the bearing axis. The casing for the block 35 has an upper end wall 31 overlying the upper face of the block and a circumferential wall 3% with a ange I2 at its lower edge. The lower end wall of the casing comprises a disc of relatively thin gauge resilient metal sealed at its edge to the circumferential wall 38 by suitable means. As shown, a ring i3 is secured to the flange 52 by bolts lift or other suitable means, and the edge of the wall disc 3S is tightly clamped between the ange 42 and the ring 43. The lower wall disc 39 is slightly dished outward of the casing and is resiliently biased fby its` form Vto `assume-this outwardly .dlshedl po- "sition :and to yreturn thereto after deformation its midpoint a threaded stud 4| having a knob v4|' at its outer end. The inner end of the stud centrally engages the outwardly dishedresilifent end `wall disc 39.

By turning the stud 4|, the movable resilient casing end wall 39 may be moved inwardly or outwardly to any desired extent within a limited range, thereby decreasing or increasing the section of the hydraulic fiuid passages that connect the several uid pockets 36 in the resilient block 35, and thus increasing or 'decreasing the damping effect exerted by the flow of the oil 44, or other hydraulic fiuid, between the A lock nut 45 forming restricted fluid passages between said pockets and a hydraulic fluid filling said pockets and the restricted space between said overlying wall and the block face into which said pockets open.

2. A bearing structure comprising a block of yieldable resilient material having a central opening therein extending to at least one of two opposite faces thereof, a bearing carried in said opening, said block having a plurality of fluid pockets therein extending between opposite faces of said block substantially parallel to said bearing opening, a casing enclosing said block including opposite walls extending over and close- 1y adjacent the opposite faces of said block and the opposite ends of said fluid pockets and forming with the block restricted fluid passages between said pockets, and a hydraulic fluid filling said casing and said duid pockets of said block.

3. A bearing structure comprising a substantially circular disc-shaped rubber block having a central opening therein extending to at least one of two opposite circular faces thereof, a bearing carried in said opening, said block having a plurality of relatively spaced fluid pockets therein extending substantially parallel to said bearing opening and disposed substantially symmetricalv ly with respect to said bearing opening, a casing enclosing said block and including a wall extending over and closely adjacent the ends of said fluid pockets and forming restricted uid passages between said pockets, and a hydraulic fluid filling said casing and said fluid openings of said block.

4. A bearing structure comprising a bearing, a mass of rubber surrounding said bearing and having a plurality of pockets therein distributed about and extending lengthwise of the axis of said bearing, a supporting casing surrounding said mass of rubber and including a wall overlying and closely adjacent the ends of said pockets and `forming restricted` fluldmpassages:ibe-

Itween said pockets and adjustably movable toward ,and` away` `from said pocket ends, and a hydraulic fluidfffilling said casing rand .said openings. l

5; A bearing structure comprising a block lof fyieldablelresilient materialfhaving a centralopenling therethrough `extending `between opposite faces thereof,`a bearing 4carried in said opening, said block having a plurality of fluid pockets ex- Htending therethrough substantially parallel "to `said bearing opening, a f casing supportingsaid :block including opposite end wallsextending over and closely adjacent the opposite ends of said fluid pockets and forming restricted fluid passages between said pockets, and a threaded connection between one of said casing end walls and said casing whereby the space between the opposite faces of said block and said casing end walls may be variably adjusted.

6. A bearing structure comprising a substantially circular disc-shaped rubber block having a central opening therethrough extending between opposite circular faces thereof, a bearing carried in said opening, said block having a plurality of relatively spaced uid pockets extending therethrough substantially parallel to said bearing opening and disposed substantially symmetrically with respect to said bearing opening, a casing supporting said block including opposite end walls extending over and closely adjacent the opposite ends of said fluid pockets and forming restricted uid passages between said pockets, and a threaded connection between one cf said casing end walls and said casing whereby the space between the opposite faces of said block and said casing end walls may be Variably adjusted.

7. A bearing structure comprising a block of rubber having a central bearing-receiving opening therethrough, a plurality of iiuid pockets ex` tending through said block substantially parallel` 8. A bearing structure comprising a block of rubber having opposite end faces and a substantially central bearing opening therein extending substantially normal to such faces, a plurality of fluid pockets in said block extending from one face thereof substantially parallel to said bearing opening to a point adjacent but short of the opposite block. face, said pockets being substantially symmetrically distributed about said bearing opening, a casing for supporting said block including a wall adjustably connected to said casing and movable toward and away from said block face to which said fluid pockets extend to form restricted fluid passages between said fluid pockets, and a hydraulic fluid filling said casing and said pockets.

9. A bearing structure comprising a block of rubber having a central bearing-receiving opening therein, a plurality of fluid pockets extending into said block substantially parallel to the bearing opening, a casing around said block and in- 7 cluding a resliently movable wall adjacent and closely overlying said fluid pockets and forming restricted iiuid passages between said pockets, and an adjusting screw secured to said casing and engaging said resilient movable Wall for moving the same toward and from said fluid pockets.

10. A bearing structure comprising a bearing,

n a mass of yieldable resilientI material surround- Y 8 Y the resistance to fluid flow between the mass openings, and a hydraulic fluid Within said casing and said openings.

` WINSLOW S. PIERCE, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,641,856 Lloyd Sept. 6, 1927 2,350,272 Cobb May 30, 1944 

